Most aromatics prices decline

1:37 PM MDT | April 23, 2013 | Lindsay Frost

Aromatics did not show any clear direction, traders say. Spot benzene on the US Gulf was traded in a tighter range with bids lower by 5 cts/gal against offers decreased by 15 cts/gal. In contrast, spot toluene was said to gain 5 cts/gal. Spot styrene was reported off 2 cts/lb on the back of declines in feedstocks. The sole gainer for the week was spot benzene in northwest Europe, which accelerated gains by $20/m.t. Spot styrene was not helped; it skidded $65/m.t., players say. Methyl tert-butyl tumbled $90/m.t. at a time when demand is usually firming in advance...